Fishing reel of double bearing type having improved balance and ergonomic properties

ABSTRACT

A fishing reel of a double bearing type is provided in which the center of gravity of the reel and handle position are situated nearer to the position of the hand holding the reel to thereby be able to perform the fishline take-up operation of the handle stably. A fishing reel of an embodiment includes a reel main body (A) which includes two left and right side frames (1, 1&#39;). A support plate (1&#34;) and a reel side plate (2) are mounted on the outside of the left side frame (1), while a reel side plate (3) is mounted on the outside of the right side frame (1&#39;). A spool (11) is interposed between the left and right side frames (1, 1&#39;) and is fixed to a spool shaft (4). The spool (11) is structured such that it can be rotated by a handle (17). A handle shaft (6) is disposed in the rear of the spool shaft (4) on the opposite side to a fishline play-out direction. Between the left and right side frames (1, 1&#39;), a level wind device (B) is disposed in front of the spool (11) on the fishline play-out direction side.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fishing reel of a double bearing typewhich enables comfortable, smooth and natural operation by properlylocating a handle, a clutch mechanism or the like.

Conventionally, a fishing reel of a double bearing type, as disclosed inJapanese Utility Model Kokoku Publication No. sho. 57-22541, isstructured such that a spool supported rotatably between the two sideplates of a reel main body is rotated for taking up a fishline by ahandle. The handle is supported by one of the side plates and disposedat a location forwardly of the spool (that is, it is supported by aportion of the side plate on the fishline play-out direction side withrespect to the spool).

However, in the above-mentioned conventional fishing reel of a doublebearing type, since the handle for fishline take-up operation is mountedon the portion of the side plate that is situated forwardly of the spoolshaft, there are still left the following problems to be solved:

That is, (1) since the position of the handle is remote from the body ofan angler holding the reel by one hand while operating the handle by theother hand to take up a fishline, the arm of the angler is forciblyopened from the side of the angler's body, which makes it difficult toperform the stably fishline take-up operation of the handle;

(2) since an adjusting knob for pressure contact with the end portion ofthe spool shaft is disposed in the rear of the handle, the adjustingknob cannot be operated or rotated easily with the tip of the finger ofone hand holding the reel; and,

(3) in casting, if the reel is held in such a manner that the thumbingoperation for the spool can be performed immediately, because the handleand drive gear are disposed in front of the spool shaft, the center ofgravity of the reel lies in front of the position of the hand holdingthe reel. Due to this, the angler feels the reel heavy and thus isforced to hold the reel with a strong force, so that the reel isdifficult to hold as well as the fishing rod and reel are difficult toswing.

In Japanese Utility Model Kokoku Publication No. Sho. 57-14605, JapaneseUtility Model Kokoku Publication No. Sho. 59-15896 and the like, thereis disclosed a fishing reel of a double bearing type including a clutchmechanism for switching a spool between a fishline take-up state and afishline play-out state.

In either of the reels disclosed in the above publications '605 and'896, a handle shaft is disposed on the front side with respect to aspool shaft, and a switch-over element forming the clutch mechanism forswitching the spool between the fishline take-up and play-out states isrotatably or slidably disposed on the side plate having the handle andlocated backwardly of the spool shaft.

When operating the handle, while the reel mounted on a fishing rod isbeing held by one hand in a thumbing operation allowable state, and thehandle is held by the other hand.

In this case, however, if the reel is held by one hand in the thumbingoperation allowable state, since the spool shaft is situated in the rearof the handle shaft, the reel cannot be operated in such a manner thatthe whole reel is held by one hand, and thus the reel cannot be heldstably.

Also, in casting, when the switch-over element is operated to therebyswitch the spool from the fishline take-up state over to the fishlineplay-out state, the other hand is detached from the handle in order tooperate the switch-over element.

When fighting against a fish as well, since the switching operation ofthe switch-over element and the rotational operation of the handle areperformed by the movement of the other hand, a series of operationscannot be performed continuously, quickly and easily.

In Japanese Utility Model Kokoku Publication No. Hei. 1-44062 andJapanese Utility Model Kokoku Publication No. Hei. 3-61873, there isdisclosed a fishing reel including a typical fishline parallel windingdevice which is used to wind a fishline uniformly around a spoolsupported between the two side plates of a reel main body. The fishlineparallel winding device disclosed in these publications includes atraverse shaft supported rotatably between the two side plates of a reelmain body and including a traverse groove, a fishline guide memberslidably supported on a support shaft arranged in parallel to thetraverse shaft for guiding a fishline from the spool, and an engagingmember provided in the fishline guide member and engageable with thetraverse groove.

A gear meshable with a drive gear mounted on a handle shaft is mountedon the end portion of the traverse shaft and, if the handle shaft isrotated, then the traverse shaft is rotated. In response to the rotationof the traverse shaft, the fishline guide member reciprocates along thesupport shaft through the engaging member in engagement with thetraverse groove to thereby wind the fishline uniformly around the spool.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional fishline parallel windingdevice, since the fishline parallel winding device including thefishline guide member, traverse shaft and the like as well as the handleshaft on which a reverse rotation preventive mechanism and a dragmechanism are mounted are disposed intensively between the two sideplates at a location forwardly of the spool, there is required a largespace in the front portion of the spool. Due to this, the reel main bodyand fishline winding device are increased in size as well as the reel isworsened in balance as a whole.

Further, when the fishline is wound around the spool, since the fishlinecontaining therein a large amount of seawater, sand, dust and the likeis guided to the spool through a guide hole formed in the fishline guidemember, the seawater, sand, dust and the like are easy to adhere to thetraverse shaft, the sliding portion of the fishline guide member and thelike provided in the fishline parallel winding device. This raisesseveral problems: that is, the fishline guide member cannot slide andreciprocate smoothly along the support shaft; the engagement between thetraverse groove and engaging member is not stabilized; the fishlineparallel winding device is inferior in durability and strength; thefishline guide member is easy to corrode so that it cannot reciprocateand slide; and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims at eliminating the drawbacks found in theconventional double bearing type fishing reels. Accordingly, it is anobject of the invention to provide a fishing reel of a double bearingtype in which the center of gravity of the reel and the position of thehandle are located nearer to the position of the hand holding the reel,so that the handle can be stably operated for taking up a fishline, theadjusting knob for pressure contact with the end portion of the spoolshaft can be operated or rotated easily, and the casting property of thereel can be improved.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fishing reel of a doublebearing type in which a series of switching operations from the fishlineplay-out operation to the fishline take-up operation can be performedcontinuously, quickly and easily in such a manner that the switchingoperation of a switch-over element and the thumbing operation for thespool can be performed with the thumb of one hand holding the whole reelstably while a handle can be operated by the other hand.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a fishline parallelwinding device which, in use, prevents seawater, dust and the like fromadhering to the sliding drive portion thereof during the fishlinewinding operation, allows the fishline guide member to reciprocatesmoothly, and can improve the reel in balance as a whole.

In attaining the above object, according to the invention, there isprovided a fishing reel of a double bearing type that a spool supportedrotatably between the two side plates of a reel main body is rotated fortaking up a fishline by a handle mounted on one of the side plates, inwhich the handle is rotatably mounted on the portion of the side plateof the reel main body that is situated in the rear of a spool shaftsupporting the spool on the opposite direction side to a fishlineplay-out direction.

Since the handle is situated nearer to the body of the angler, the armand the side of the angler's body can be closed tight when operating thehandle, so that not only the fishline take-up operation of the handlecan be performed smoothly and stably but also the unpleasant oscillationof the reel can be reduced.

Also, because the adjusting knob for pressure contact with the endportion of the spool shaft is also situated in front of the handle, theadjusting operation of the adjusting knob can be performed easily.

Further, as the handle used to perform a fishline take-up operation ismounted on the portion of the reel side plate that is situated in therear of the spool shaft, the center of gravity of the reel and themounting position of the handle lie nearer to the position of the handholding the reel. Due to this, in casting, even if the reel is heldunder the thumbing operation allowable state for the spool, the reel iseasy to hold as well as the fishing rod and reel are easy to swing.

In case the level wind device and handle shaft are arranged separatelyfrom each other, that is, the former is disposed in front of the spoolshaft while the latter is disposed in the rear of the spool shaft, thedrive portion can be mounted onto the reel main body in a well-balancedmanner and thus the whole reel can be improved in balance.

Also, because the traverse cam shaft, handle shaft and spool shaft arenot disposed collectively in the front portion of the reel main bodywith respect to the spool shaft, the reel can be improved inmanufacture, assembly, dismantling and after-sales service.

The invention further provides a fishing reel of a double bearing typewhich comprises a clutch mechanism for switching a spool between afishline take-up state and a fishline play-out state and the spool isrotated in the fishline take-up direction by a handle disposed on one ofthe side plates, in which, on the upper portion of the handle-mountedside plate at a location in the fishline play-out direction side and infront of a handle shaft, a switch-over element forming the clutchmechanism is shiftably provided at a position where not only the wholereel can be kept held in one hand but also the switch-over element canbe operated with the thumb of the same hand for switching operation.

Preferably, the above-mentioned spool is rotatably supported through thespool shaft between the portions of the two side plates respectivelysituated forwardly of the handle shaft on the fishline play-outdirection side.

According to the fishing reel of a double bearing type,

(1) since a thumb operation portion formed in a switch-over element isdisposed at a position where the tip of a thumb can be put thereon whenthe whole reel is held by one hand, the thumb operation portion can beoperated or shifted with the whole reel held;

(2) because the thumb can be put on the flange outer periphery of aspool after the thumb operation portion is operated or shifted, therecan be obtained a thumbing operation allowable state just after the reelis turned into its clutch-off state;

(3) the reel can be operated by the other hand while the other hand isholding a handle;

(4) also when fighting against a fish, the switching operation of theswitch-over element and the thumbing operation can be performed whilethe whole reel is being held by one hand, and the handle can be operatedby the other hand, which eliminates the need to move both hands to extrapositions;

(5) since the handle is situated nearer to the body of an angler, whenoperating the handle, not only the side of the angler can be kept closedto thereby be able to perform a fishline take-up operation smoothly andstably, but also the vibrations of the reel can be reduced;

(6) as an adjusting knob for pressure contact with the end portion of aspool shaft is disposed in front of the handle, the adjusting knob canbe operated easily;

(7) because the handle for take-up operation is mounted on a reel sideplate disposed in the rear of the spool shaft, the center of gravity ofthe reel and the mounting position of the handle lie nearer to theposition of the hand holding the reel and, therefore, in casting, evenif the reel is held while the spool is set in the thumbing operationallowable state, the reel is easy to hold as well as the fishing rod andreel are easy to swing;

(8) due to the fact that a level wind device is disposed on the frontside of the spool shaft while a handle shaft is disposed on the rearside of the spool shaft, that is, they are disposed separately from eachother, not only a drive portion can be mounted onto a reel main body ina well-balanced manner, but also the whole reel can be improved inbalance; and,

(9) since a traverse cam shaft, handle shaft and spool shaft are notcrowded together in the front portion of the reel main body, the reelcan be manufactured, assembled, dismantled and repaired easily andeffectively.

The invention further provides a fishline parallel winding device forwinding a fishline around a spool supported rotatably between the twoside plates of a reel main body, the fishline parallel winding devicecomprising a drive element interposed between the two side plates,disposed on the opposite side of the fishline play-out side andreciprocatable in linking with the rotation of a handle, and anoperation element with one portion thereof including a fishline guidemember for guiding the fishline to the spool and with the other portionthereof being connected to the drive element, in which the fishline canbe wound around the spool through the operation element and fishlineguide member by means of the reciprocating movement of the driveelement.

The fishline guide member, which winds the fishline uniformly around thespool in linking with the rotational motion of the spool, can bereciprocated by the drive element disposed on the opposite side of thefishline play-out side with respect to the spool. The drive element isinterposed between the two side plates of the reel main body, is inengagement with a traverse groove formed in a traverse shaft which canbe driven by operating a handle, and can be reciprocated together withthe handle operation. To the drive element, there is connected one endside of the operation element supported by the reel main body, while thefishline guide member is provided on the other side of the operationelement.

Since the drive element for reciprocating the fishline guide member aswell as the traverse shaft are disposed on the opposite side of thespool fishline play-out side, seawater and the like are difficult toadhere to the traverse shaft to be engaged with the drive element andthe whole reel can be improved in balance.

Further, since the handle shaft on which a reverse rotation preventivedevice, a drag device and the like are provided, and a part of thefishline parallel winding device are installed in the rear portion ofthe reel main body with respect to the spool, the center of gravity ofthe reel can be positioned rearwardly, i.e. nearer to the angler, tothereby enhance the operationability of the reel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are a sectional plan view and a partially enlargedsectional plan view, respectively, of the main portions of a firstembodiment of a right-hand fishing reel of a double bearing typeaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the present fishing reel of a doublebearing type;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the main portions of thepresent fishing reel of a double bearing type;

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the main portions of a right reelside plate employed in the present fishing reel of a double bearingtype;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional side view of the main portions of theright reel side plate shown in FIG. 4, illustrating a clutch-on statethereof;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional side view of the main portions of theright reel side plate shown in FIG. 4, illustrating a clutch-off statethereof;

FIG. 7 is a sectional plan view of the main portions of a secondembodiment of a left-hand fishing reel of a double bearing typeaccording to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the present fishing reel of a doublebearing type;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the main portions of thepresent fishing reel of a double bearing type;

FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of the main portions of a left reelside plate employed in the present fishing reel of a double bearingtype;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional side view of the main portions of theright reel side plate shown in FIG. 10, illustrating a clutch-on statethereof;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of two right and left side frames employedin the present fishing reel;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the two right and left side frames witha clutch operation element assembled thereto;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional side view of the main portions of theright reel side plate shown in FIG. 10, illustrating a clutch-off statethereof;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a fishing reel of adouble bearing type according to the invention;

FIG. 16A is a sectional plan view of the main portions of the fishingreel of a double bearing type and FIG. 16B is a partially enlargedsectional plan view thereof;

FIG. 17 is a partially sectional side view of the fishing reel of adouble bearing type;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the main portions of thefishing reel of a double bearing type;

FIG. 19 is a sectional side view of the main portions of a left reelside plate employed in the fishing reel of a double bearing type,showing a clutch-on state thereof;

FIG. 20 is a sectional side view of the main portions of the left reelside plate disposed on the lower side of a drive gear shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of a switch-over element, anintermediate member, and a clutch operation element respectivelyincluded in a clutch mechanism employed in the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a sectional side view of the main portions of the left reelside plate, showing a clutch-off state thereof;

FIG. 23 is a side view of a right reel side plate employed in thefishing reel of a double bearing type;

FIG. 24 is a side view of a modification of the right reel side plateemployed in the fishing reel of a double bearing type;

FIG. 25 is a back view of the fishing reel of a double bearing type;

FIG. 26 is a plan view of the structure of a double bearing type reelwhich incorporates therein a fishline parallel winding device, whichconstitutes a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 27 is a section view taken along the line 27--27 shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a back view of the double bearing type reel shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 29 is a section view taken along the line 29--29 shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 30 is a view of a modification of the fishline parallel windingdevice according to the invention;

FIG. 31 is a back view of a double bearing type reel which incorporatestherein a fishline parallel winding device, which constitutes a sixthembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 32 is a section view taken along the line 32--32 shown in FIG. 31;

FIG. 33, similarly to FIG. 27, is a longitudinal section view of aseventh embodiment of a fishline parallel winding device according tothe invention;

FIG. 34 is a section view taken along the line 34--34 shown in FIG. 33;

FIGS. 35A to 35C are respectively section views of modifications of theseventh embodiment, in which the driving portions thereof are structuredin a horizontal shape;

FIG. 36 is a view of a reel which incorporates therein an eighthembodiment of a fishline parallel winding device according to theinvention, when the reel main body of the reel is viewed from front;

FIG. 37 is an enlarged longitudinal section view of the front portion ofthe reel shown in FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a top plan view of the front portion of the reel shown inFIG. 36;

FIG. 39 is a section view of a modification of the embodiment shown inFIG. 36; and

FIGS. 40 and 41 are a plan view and a rear view of a modification of thethird embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now, description will be given below of the preferred embodimentsaccording to the invention with the accompanying drawings.

In FIGS. 1A to 6, there is shown a right-handle fishing reel of a doublebearing type according to a first embodiment of the invention. Inparticular, FIGS. 1A and 1B are a sectional plan view and a partiallyenlarged sectional plan view, respectively, of the main portions of afishing reel of a double bearing type according to the invention, FIG. 2is a right side view of the present fishing reel of a double bearingtype, FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the main portions ofthe present fishing reel of a double bearing type, FIG. 4 is a sectionalside view of the main portions of a right reel side plate employed inthe present fishing reel of a double bearing type, FIG. 5 is an enlargedsectional side view of the main portions of the right reel side plateshown in FIG. 4, illustrating a clutch-on state thereof, and FIG. 6 isan enlarged sectional side view of the main portions of the right reelside plate shown in FIG. 4, illustrating a clutch-off state thereof.

According to the illustrated fishing reel of a double bearing type, thetwo left and right side frames 1 and 1' of a reel main body A are heldin parallel and integrally with each other by a support plate 1a and afixing plate 1b of a reel leg 10.

On the outside of the left side frame 1, there are mounted a supportplate 1" and a reel side plate 2.

On the outside of the right side frame 1', there is mounted a reel sideplate 3.

Between the two left and right side frames 1 and 1', there is interposeda spool 11 which is fixed to a spool shaft 4. The spool shaft 4 isrotatably journaled by a pair of bearings 12, 13 provided on one sideand by another pair of bearings 14, 15 provided on the other side, andcan be rotated through a clutch means, a pinion 5 fitted with the spoolshaft 4, a drive gear 16 meshing with the pinion 5 and frictionallyconnected to the handle shaft 6, and a handle 17 mounted on the handleshaft 6.

The handle shaft 6 is disposed in the rear of the spool shaft 4 on theopposite side to the fishline play-out direction of the spool.

And, the reel side plate 2 and support plate 1" respectively includecylindrical portions 2a and 1c which are respectively formed on theinside thereof in such a manner that they project inwardly.

The bearing 12 is fitted and mounted into a recessed portion formed inthe inside of the cylindrical portion 2a, while a thrust bearing 18 isfixed to the inside bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 2a and oneend 4a of the spool shaft 4 is in contact with the thrust bearing 18.

On the other hand, the bearing 13 is mounted in a recessed portionformed in the inside of the cylindrical portion 1c.

A gear 19 is fitted with the outer periphery of one end 4a of the spoolshaft 4, which is projected from the support plate 1" toward the reelside plate 2, in a rotation preventive manner, while the gear 19 isprevented from slipping off from the end 4a by an E ring 20.

Between the right and left side frames 1' and 1, there is interposed alevel wind device (i.e. a fishline parallel winding device) B. Inparticular, the level wind device B is disposed in the portions of theright and left side frames that are respectively situated in front ofthe spool 11 on the fishline play-out direction side with respect to thespool 11, while a gear 22 is mounted on one end of a traverse cam shaft21 which is provided in the level wind device B.

Also, between the gears 19 and 22, there is interposed a gear 24 whichis journaled on a shaft 23 provided in the support plate 1" and alsowhich is in mesh with the two gears 19 and 22.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3, the right side frame 1' includes acylindrical portion 1d which is provided on and projected from the left,inner side of the frame 1'. The right side frame 1' further includes athrough hole 1e and a recessed portion 1f which are respectively formedinside the cylindrical portion 1d.

The bearing 14 is fitted into and mounted to the recessed portion 1f.

On the other hand, the reel side plate 3 includes therein a through hole3a and a recessed portion 3b.

The bearing 15 is fitted into and mounted to the recessed portion 3b,while the other end 4b of the spool 4 having a reduced diameter isjournaled by the bearing 15.

A cylindrical portion 3c is formed on and projected from the right,outer side of the through hole 3a of the reel side plate 3, while a malescrew portion is formed on the outer periphery of the cylindricalportion 3c.

An adjusting knob 25 for pressure contact with the end portion of thespool shaft 4 is in threaded engagement with the male screw portion, athrust bearing 26 is fixed to the inside bottom surface of the adjustingknob 25, and the other end 4b of the spool shaft 4 having a reduceddiameter is in contact with the thrust bearing 26.

The right side frame 1' includes on the right outer side thereof arecessed portion 1g into which a bearing 27 is fitted, while one end 6aof the handle shaft 6 is rotatably fitted with the bearing 27 and isprevented from slipping off from the bearing 27 by a slippage preventiveplate 28.

The reel side plate 3 further includes a through hole 3d and a recessedportion 3e.

A bearing 29 is fitted into and mounted to the recessed portion 3e.

The handle shaft 6 is journaled by the bearing 29 through a collar 30which is fitted with the handle shaft 6 in such a manner that it ismovable in the axial direction of the handle shaft 6 but is preventedagainst rotation.

The spool shaft 4 includes a reduced diameter portion 4c extendingbetween the right side frame 1' and reel side plate 3 and the pinion 5is fitted with the reduced diameter portion 4c in such a manner that itcan be freely moved in the axial direction of the spool shaft 4. Thespool shaft 4 further includes an engaging portion 4d formed in the leftend portion of the reduced diameter portion 4c. The engaging portion 4dof the spool shaft 4, the engaging portion 5a of the pinion 5, and aclutch operation element 7 cooperate together in forming a clutchmechanism.

The drive gear 16, which is rotatably fitted with the handle shaft 6, isin mesh with the pinion 5.

The handle shaft 6 includes one end portion 6a and a flange portion 6bwhich are respectively formed in the portion thereof situated on theleft of the handle shaft 6. A reversal preventive ratchet wheel 31 and afriction plate 32 are fitted with the handle shaft 6 sequentially fromthe flange portion 6b in this order, while the ratchet wheel 31 isfitted with the handle shaft 6 in such a manner that it is preventedagainst rotation.

The drive gear 16 includes in the central portion thereof a storageportion which consists of a round hole and a recessed portion. And, abrake plate 33, a friction plate 34, a brake plate 35, a friction plate34, a brake plate 33, a friction plate 34, and a brake plate 35respectively cooperating in forming a drag mechanism are sequentiallyinserted into and stored in the storage portion of the drive gear 16.

Further, on the inner periphery of the storage portion, there are formeda pair of projections which extend in the axial direction of the drivegear 16, while the brake plate 33 is rotatably fitted with the outerperiphery of the handle shaft 6 and is prevented against rotation by thepair of projections.

The brake plate 35 is fitted with the outer periphery of the handleshaft 6 in a rotation preventive manner and also is rotatably fittedwith the drive gear 16.

A pressure disk 36, which is fitted with the handle shaft 6 in arotation preventive manner, is in contact with the outermost brake plate35 disposed on the opening side of the drive gear 16.

And, springs 37 and 38, which are respectively fitted with the handleshaft 6 in a rotation preventive manner, are in contact with the rightside of the pressure disk 36.

The collar 30 is disposed adjacent to and in contact with the spring 38.

A nut 39, which is threadingly fitted with the handle shaft 6, isdisposed adjacent to and in contact with the collar 30.

The handle 17 is fitted in a rotation preventive manner with the portionof the handle shaft 6 situated outside the nut 39 and is also preventedfrom slipping off from the portion of the handle 6 by a bag nut 40.

The nut 39 is fitted with a polygonal through hole formed in a dragadjusting knob 41 in such a manner that it can be moved back and forthin the axial direction of the handle shaft 6.

Between the drag adjusting knob 41 and the side portion of the reel sideplate 3, there is interposed an intermediate member 42 which consists ofa hard member formed of metal or synthetic resin or a hard felt, while,between the drag adjusting knob 41 and handle 17, there is interposedanother intermediate member 43 consisting of an O-ring.

The reel side plate 3 includes a recessed portion 3f which is formed inthe side portion of the reel side plate 3 that is situated outside thebearing 29 journaling the handle shaft 6 thereon, and the intermediatemember 42 is rotatably fitted into the recessed portion 3f.

The reversal preventive ratchet wheel 31 is fitted with the handle shaft6 in a rotation preventive manner and, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to 6, apreventive reversal claw 45, which is held by and between two springplates 44 and 44, is disposed on the outside portion of the ratchetwheel 31 in such a manner that it is rotatably journaled on a shaft 46.The two spring plates 44 and 44 hold the two opposite side surfaces ofthe ratchet wheel 31 between them, while the leading end portion of thereversal preventive claw 45 is engageable with securing teeth formed onthe outer periphery of the ratchet wheel 31.

Outside the reversal preventive claw 45, there is provided a stop pin 47against which the reversal preventive claw 45 can hit when it isrotated.

The ratchet wheel 31 includes a plurality of kick pins 48 which arerespectively erected thereon.

The interior of the reel side plate 3 is formed as a gear box, and thereis stored in the gear box a clutch mechanism which can be operated bythe clutch operation element 7 that is advanceable and retreatablethrough a shaft portion 50 and a connecting plate 51 due to the rotationof a clutch lever 49.

The clutch mechanism includes the engaging portion 5a of the pinion 5engageable with and disengageable from the engaging portion 4d of thespool shaft 4, a clutch cam 7a provided in the clutch operation element7, a clutch plate 52, the plurality of kick pins 48 provided in theratchet wheel 31, and a kick lever 53.

The clutch operation element 7 is slidable disposed in the right sideframe 1', while the clutch operation element 7 includes the clutch cam7a, an engaging portion 7b consisting of a laterally extending elongatedhole, two forked extension pieces 7c and 7d, a bent engaging portion 7e,an elongated hole 7f formed in one of the extension pieces 7c, and abent portion 7g formed on one side of the same extension portion 7c.

A pin 54, which is fixed to the right side frame 1', is fitted into theelongated hole 7f, a kick lever 53 is superimposed or stacked on top ofthe extension piece 7c, and the pin 54 is also fitted into an elongatedhole 53a which is formed in the kick lever 53.

The kick lever 53 includes a cutaway portion 53b and a spring catchportion 53c, one end of a spring 55 is engaged with the spring catchportion 53c, and the other end of the spring 55 is engaged with a pin 56which is fixed to the right side frame 1'.

And, a securing pin 57 is fixed to the portion of the right side frame1' on the opposite side thereof to the extension piece 7c and kick lever53.

The shaft portion 50 is rotatably supported by the reel side plate 3,and an eccentric engaging portion 50a formed in the shaft portion 50 isin engagement with an elongated hole 51a formed in the connecting plate51 while an engaging portion 51b formed in the connecting plate 51 is inengagement with the engaging portion 7b or the laterally extendingelongated hole formed in the clutch operation element 7.

Between the shaft portion 50 and right side frame 1', there isinterposed a dead-point spring 58.

The connecting plate 51 is rotatably fitted with a shaft portion 59which is fixed to the right side frame 1'.

The clutch plate 52 is fitted with two support members 60, 60respectively having the two ends thereof fixed to the right side frame1', and the engaging portion 4d of the spool shaft 4 and the engagingportion 5a of the pinion 5 are respectively energized in their engagingdirection by springs (not shown).

The clutch plate 52 includes an arc-shaped recessed portion 52a whichcan be fitted into a groove 5b formed in the pinion 5.

Now, the level wind device B comprises a guide cylinder 61, a fishlineguide member 62 which is slidable right and left along the outerperiphery of the guide cylinder 61, the above-mentioned traverse camshaft 21 journaled by two bearings (not shown) respectively fixed to thetwo end portions of the guide cylinder 61, an engaging member 63 whichis engageable with a traverse groove formed in the traverse cam shaft 21and is stored in the fishline guide member 62, a spring 64 for pushingup the engaging member 63, a cap 65 for holding the engaging member 63in such a manner that the engaging member 63 is prevented from slippingoff from the fishline guide member 62, and a guide rod 66 for holdingthe fishline guide member 62 in parallel to the guide cylinder 61.

A hard fishline guide ring 67 is fixed to the fishline guide member 62,and a fishline 68 is inserted through the hard fishline guide ring 67before it is wound around the spool 11.

The traverse cam shaft 21 can be rotated in linking with the rotation ofthe spool shaft 4.

However, alternatively, the traverse cam shaft 21 may be structured suchthat it can be rotated in linking with the rotation of the handle shaft6.

The engaging member 63 shown in FIG. 4 is structured such that, if theengagement of the engaging member 63 with the traverse groove is removedby pressing down a pin 69, then the fishline guide member 62 can bemanually moved right and left in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the operation of the double bearing type fishing reelaccording to the first embodiment of the invention, if the handle 17 isrotated clockwise in FIGS. 4 and 5 in a clutch-on state in which theengaging portion 4d of the spool shaft 4 is in engagement with theengaging portion 5a of the pinion 5, then the pinion 5 is rotatedthrough the drive gear 16 due to the rotation of the handle shaft 6 sothat the fishline 68 can be taken up around the spool 11.

To adjust the brake force of the drive gear 16 frictionally connected tothe handle shaft 6 through the drag mechanism, the drag adjusting knob41 may be rotated.

That is, if the drag adjusting knob 41 is rotated, then the nut 39 isadvanced or retreated to thereby push the collar 30, so that the brakeplates 33 and 35 are respectively pressed against the drive gear 16through the springs 37, 38 and pressure disk 36 as well as through therespective friction plates 34, thereby being able to adjust the brakeforce of the drive gear 16.

And, if the handle 17 is rotated, then the drive gear 16 is rotatedclockwise as well as the ratchet wheel 31 is rotated clockwise due to apreset brake force.

If the ratchet wheel 31 is rotated clockwise, then the spring plates 44,44 and reversal preventive securing claw 45 are rotated counterclockwisedue to the friction produced between the ratchet wheel 31 and springplates 44, 44 to thereby disengage the leading end of the reversalpreventive securing claw 45 from the securing teeth of the ratchet wheel31, so that the ratchet wheel 31 can be rotated integrally with thedrive gear 16.

Next, if the spool 11 is rotated reversely due to the play-out of thefishline 68, then the drive gear 16 and ratchet wheel 31 are rotatedcounterclockwise and the spring plates 44, 44 and reversal preventiveclaw 45 are rotated clockwise, so that the leading end of the reversalpreventive securing claw 45 is secured to the securing teeth of theratchet wheel 31.

The securing of the leading end of the claw 45 to the securing teeth ofthe ratchet wheel 31 causes the rotation of the handle shaft 6 to stop,so that the drive gear 16 can be rotated against the preset brake force.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, if the clutch lever 49 is rotatedcounterclockwise, then the eccentric engaging portion 50a of the shaftportion 50 causes the connecting plate 51 to rotate clockwise, while theengaging portion 51b of the connecting plate 51 causes the clutchoperation element 7 to slide in the left downward direction.

Due to the sliding motion of the clutch operation element 7, the clutchplate 52 is lifted up by the clutch cam 7a to remove the engagementbetween the engaging portion 5a of the pinion 5 and the engaging portion4d of the spool shaft 4, thereby turning the clutch mechanism into theclutch-off state thereof, so that the spool 11 can be freely rotated.

When the clutch operation element 7 is slid in the above-mentionedmanner, since the extension piece 7c is also slid in the left downwarddirection as shown in FIG. 6, the kick lever 53, which has beenprevented against rotation by the securing pin 57 and bent portion 7g,can be now rotated counterclockwise by the spring 55 and the cutawayportion 53b of the kick lever 53 is situated at a position where it iscontactable with the kick pin 48.

Next, if the handle 17 is rotated in the fishline take-up direction,then the ratchet wheel 31 and drive gear 16 is rotated clockwise in FIG.6, the kick pin 48 is contacted with the cutaway portion 53b of the kicklever 53 thereby push back the kick lever 53 in the right direction, theright end of the kick lever 53 pushes up the bent engaging portion 7e ofthe clutch operation element 7 to thereby retreat the clutch operationelement 7, the engagement between the clutch cam 7a and the clutch plate52 is removed and the engaging portion 5a of the pinion 5 is engagedwith the engaging portion 4d of the spool shaft 4, thereby turning thereel into the clutch-on state.

In the clutch-on state, if the handle 17 is rotated clockwise, then thepinion 5 and spool shaft 4 are rotated to rotate the spool 11, and thefishline guide member 62 of the level wind device B is slid right andleft along the outer periphery of the guide cylinder 61, so that thefishline 68 can be wound parallel around the spool 11.

The fishing reel of a double bearing type structured in the above-mannerhas the handle 17 which is located so that an axis L₂ of the handle 17is situated within a space defined between an axis L₁ of the spool shaft4 and a reference end point P₂ of the side plate 3 as shown in FIG. 1A.In FIG. 1A, the reference point P₁ is the farthest point of the sideplate 3 from the axis L₁ of the spool shaft 4 in the fishline play-outdirection F, and the other reference point P₂ is the farthest point ofthe side plate 3 from the axis L₁ in a direction opposite to thefishline play-out direction F.

With use of the fishing reel of a double bearing type structured in theabove-mentioned manner, the following effects can be obtained:

That is, (1) since the handle 17 lies nearer to the body of the angler,during operating the handle 17 the arm and side of the angler can beclosed tight to make it possible to perform the fishline take-upoperation of the handle 17 smoothly and stably as well as to reduce theunpleasant oscillation of the reel.

Also, because the adjusting knob 25 for pressure contact with the endportion of the spool shaft 4 is situated in front of the handle 17, theadjusting operation of the adjusting knob 25 can be carried out easily.

(2) Due to the fact that the handle 17 for fishline take-up operation ismounted on the portion of the reel side plate 3 that is situated in therear of the spool shaft 4, the center of gravity of the reel and themounting position of the handle 17 lie nearer to the position of thehand holding the reel. Therefore, in casting, even if the reel is heldin such a manner that the thumbing operation for the spool 11 can beperformed, the reel is easy to hold as well as the fishing rod and reelare easy to swing.

(3) Since the level wind device B is disposed on the front side withrespect to the spool shaft 4 and the handle shaft 6 is disposed on therear side with respect to the spool shaft 4, that is, since they arearranged separately and remotely from each other, not only the driveportion can be mounted onto the reel main body A in a well-balancedmanner but also the whole reel can be improved in balance.

Also, as the traverse cam shaft 21, handle shaft 6, and spool shaft 4are not disposed collectively, the reel is improved in manufacture,assembly, dismantling and after-sales service.

Now, in FIGS. 7 to 14, there is shown a left-handle fishing reel of adouble bearing type according to a second embodiment of the invention.In particular, FIG. 7 is a sectional plan view of the main portions ofthe present fishing reel of a double bearing type, FIG. 8 is a left sideview of the present fishing reel of a double bearing type, FIG. 9 is anenlarged sectional plan view of the main portions of the present fishingreel of a double bearing type, FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of themain portions of a left reel side plate of the present fishing reel of adouble bearing type, FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional side view of themain portions of the left reel side plate shown in FIG. 10, illustratinga clutch-on state thereof, FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the tworight and left side frames of a reel main body, FIG. 13 is a perspectiveview of the two right and left side frames with a clutch operationelement assembled thereto, and FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional sideview of the main portions of the left reel side plate shown in FIG. 10,illustrating a clutch-off state thereof.

In the second embodiment, a cylindrical portion 8a of a clutch operationelement 8 serving also as a spool cover for a spool 11 is rotatablyfitted into a through hole 1h formed in a left side frame 1' of a reelmain body A.

The clutch operation element 8 includes the cylindrical portion 8a, adisk plate portion 8b, a spool cover 8c, an arm portion 8d, and a clutchoperation portion 8e extending from the arm portion 8d at right anglesin the right side frame 1 direction.

The cylindrical portion 8a includes therein a recessed portion 8f, and abearing 14 for journaling a spool shaft 4 is mounted in the recessedportion 8f.

A cylindrical cam member 9 is fixed to the outer periphery of thecylindrical portion 8a by a pin 70.

The pin 70 projects outwardly from the outer periphery of the cam member9 and is interposed between two stop pins 71 and 72 which arerespectively fixed to the left side frame 1'.

The cam member 9 includes a clutch cam 9a which is formed on andprojected from the end face of the cam member 9, and a pin 73 is fixedto the clutch cam 9a.

Also, the cam member 9 includes a spring catch portion 9b in the outerperiphery thereof and a dead point spring 58 is provided between thespring catch portion 9b and the left side frame 1'.

A shaft portion 74 is fixed to the portion of the left side frame 1'situated outside the ratchet wheel 31 and a kick lever 75 is rotatablyjournaled by the shaft portion 74.

The leading end portion of the kick lever 75 is inserted between a kickpin 48 and the pin 73.

A stop pin 76 is fixed to the portion of the left side frame 1' situatedoutside the kick lever 75.

The remaining portions of the second embodiment are substantially thesame as the first embodiment except that the right and left sidesthereof are reversed.

Referring now to the operation of the second embodiment of a fishingreel of a double bearing type according to the invention, in theclutch-on state in which the engaging portion 4d of the spool shaft 4 isin engagement with the engaging portion 5a of the pinion 5 as shown inFIGS. 7 and 9, if the handle 17 is rotated counterclockwise in FIGS. 10and 11, then the pinion 5 is rotated through the drive gear 16 due tothe rotation of the handle shaft 6 so that the fishline 68 can be takenup around the spool 11.

Next, if the spool 11 is rotated reversely due to the play-out of thefishline, the drive gear 16 and ratchet wheel 31 are rotated clockwiseas well as the spring plates 44, 44 and reversal preventive claw 45 arerotated clockwise, so that the leading end of the reversal preventiveclaw 45 is secured to the securing teeth of the ratchet wheel 31.

Since the rotation of the handle shaft 6 is stopped due to this securingof the claw 45 leading end to the securing teeth, the drive gear 16 canbe rotated against the previously set brake force.

Next, if the clutch operation portion 8e is pressed down, then theclutch operation element 8 and cam member 9 are rotated as shown in FIG.14.

Due to this rotation, the clutch plate 52 is lifted up by the clutch cam9a to thereby remove the engagement between the engaging portion 5a ofthe pinion 5 and the engaging portion 4d of the spool shaft 4, that is,the reel is turned into the clutch-off state, so that the spool 11 isnow free to rotate.

If the clutch operation element 8 and cam member 9 are rotated, then thepin 73 is also rotated so that the kick lever 75 is pressed downcounterclockwise.

Next, if the handle 17 is rotated in the fishline take-up direction,then the ratchet wheel 31 and drive gear 16 are rotated counterclockwisein FIG. 14, and the kick pin 48 is brought into contact with the kicklever 75 to thereby push up the kick lever 75, with the result that thepin 73 is pushed up and is rotated counterclockwise.

This counterclockwise rotation of the pin 73 causes the clutch operationelement 8 and cam member 9 to rotate, and thus the clutch plate 52 ispushed up by the clutch cam 9a to thereby bring the engaging portion 5aof the pinion 5 into engagement with the engaging portion 4d of thespool shaft 4, so that the reel is turned into the clutch-on state.

In the clutch-on state, if the handle 17 is rotated counterclockwise,then the pinion 5 and spool shaft 4 are rotated to thereby rotate thespool 11 and thus the fishline guide member 62 of the level wind deviceB is slid right and left along the guide cylinder 61, so that thefishline 68 can be wound parallel around the spool 11.

Although in the above description the reel main body A is structuredsuch that the left and right side frames 1, 1', support plate 1a andfixing plate 1b are formed integrally with one another, this is notlimitative but, alternatively, the three components may be formedseparately from one another as well as the left and right side frames 1and 1' may be held parallel to each other.

Now, description will be given below of a fishing reel of a doublebearing type according a third embodiment of the invention. Assumingthat the present invention is applied to a left-handle reel, FIG. 15 isa plan view of the fishing reel of a double bearing type, FIGS. 16A and16B are a sectional plan view of the main portion of the present fishingreel of a double bearing type and a partially enlarged sectional planview thereof, respectively, FIG. 17 is a partially sectional side viewof the present fishing reel of a double bearing type, FIG. 18 is anenlarged sectional plan view of the main portions of the present fishingreel of a double bearing type, FIG. 19 is a sectional side view of themain portions of a reel left side plate employed in the present fishingreel of a double bearing type, showing a clutch-on state thereof, FIG.20 is a sectional side view of the main portions of the left side platesituated on the lower side of a drive gear shown in FIG. 19, FIG. 21 isan exploded perspective view of a switch-over element, an intermediatemember, and a clutch operation element respectively included in a clutchmechanism employed in the present fishing reel of a double bearing type,FIG. 22 is a sectional side view of the main portions of the clutchmechanism, showing a clutch-off state thereof, and FIG. 23 is a sideview of a right reel side plate employed in the present fishing reel ofa double bearing type.

In the fishing reel of a double bearing type shown in FIG. 15, the tworight and left side frames 101 and 101' of the reel main body A are heldin parallel and integrally to each other by a support plate 101a and afixing plate 101b of a reel leg 110.

A reel side plate 102 is mounted on the outside of the left side frame101.

A support plate 101" and a reel side plate 103 are mounted on theoutside of the right side frame 101'.

A spool 111 is fixedly disposed on a spool shaft 104 between the tworight and left side frames 101 and 101' as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B.The spool shaft 104 is rotatably journaled by two bearings 112, 113disposed on one side and another two bearings 114, 115 disposed on theother side, and the spool shaft 104 can be rotated through a clutchmechanism, a pinion 105 fitted with the spool shaft 104, a drive gear116 frictionally connected with a handle shaft 106, and a handle 117mounted on the handle shaft 106.

The handle shaft 106 is disposed in the rear of the spool shaft 104,that is, on the opposite side to the fishline play-out direction of thespool shaft 104.

As shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B, 18 to 20, the left side frame 101 of thereel main body A includes two cylindrical portions 101c and 101drespectively formed in the two surfaces thereof, and a cylindricalclutch operation element 107 is rotatably fitted with the outerperipheral portion of the cylindrical portion 101c.

Within the cylindrical portions 101c and 101d, there is formed a throughhole 101e, and, within the cylindrical portion 101d, there is formed arecessed portion 101f into which is mounted the bearing 112 forjournaling the spool shaft 104.

In the reel side plate 102, there are formed a through hole 102a and arecessed portion 102b.

The bearing 113 is fitted and mounted into the recessed portion 102b,while the reduced diameter portion 104a of the spool shaft 104 isjournaled by the bearing 113.

On the left outer side of the through hole 102a of the reel side plate102, there is projectingly formed a shaft cylinder portion 102c whichincludes a male screw on the outer periphery thereof.

An adjusting knob 118 for pressure contact with the end portion of thespool shaft is in threaded engagement with the male screw, a thrustbearing 119 is fixed to the inside bottom surface of the adjusting knob118, and one end 104b of the spool shaft 104 having a reduced diameteris in contact with the thrust bearing 119.

The left side frame 101 includes on the outside thereof a recessedportion 101g into which a bearing 120 is fitted, while one end 106a ofthe above-mentioned handle shaft 106 is rotatably fitted with thebearing 120 and is also prevented from slipping off the bearing 120 by aslippage preventive plate 121.

In the reel side plate 102, there are formed a through hole 102d and arecessed portion 102e.

A bearing 122 is fitted into and mounted to the recessed portion 102e.

The handle shaft 106 is journaled by the bearing 122 through a collar123 which is fitted with the handle shaft 106 in such a manner that thecollar 123 is movable in the axial direction of the handle shaft 106 butis prevented against rotation.

The pinion 105 is fitted with the reduced diameter portion 104a of thespool shaft 104 between the left side frame 101 and reel side plate 102in such a manner that the pinion 105 is movable in the axial directionof the spool shaft 104, while the engaging portion 104c of the spoolshaft 104 and the engaging portion 105a of the pinion 105 cooperatetogether in forming the engaging portion of a clutch mechanism B.

The pinion 105 is in mesh with a drive gear 116 which is rotatablyfitted with the handle shaft 106.

The handle shaft 106 includes on the left side of the drive gear 116 oneend 106a and a flange portion 106b, while a kick gear 124 and a reversalpreventive ratchet wheel 125 with a friction plate 126 between them aresequentially pressed against and fitted with the flange portion 106b, sothat the kick gear 124 and ratchet wheel 125 are fitted with the handleshaft 106 in a rotation preventive manner.

The kick gear 124 includes a plurality of kick projections respectivelyformed in and projected from the outer periphery thereof.

The drive gear 116 includes in the central portion thereof a storageportion consisting of a round hole and a recessed portion, into whichstorage portion a brake plate 127, a friction plate 128, a brake plate129, a friction plate 128, a brake plate 127, a friction plate 128, anda brake plate 129 respectively forming a drag mechanism are sequentiallyinserted and stored.

Further, the storage portion includes on the inner periphery thereof apair of projections which extend in the axial direction of the storageportion, while the brake plate 127 is fitted with the pair ofprojections in a rotation preventive manner and also is rotatably fittedwith the outer periphery of the handle shaft 106.

The brake plate 129 is fitted with the outer periphery of the handleshaft 106 in a rotation preventive manner and also is rotatably fittedwith the drive gear 116.

A pressure disk 130, which is fitted with the handle shaft 106 in arotation preventive manner, is in contact with the brake plate 129disposed on the opening side of the drive gear 116.

Springs 131 and 132, which are respectively fitted with the handle shaft106 in a rotation preventive manner, are in contact with the right sideof the pressure disk 130.

The above-mentioned collar 123 is disposed in the neighborhood of andalso in contact with the spring 132.

A nut 133, which is in threaded engagement with the handle shaft 106, isdisposed in the neighborhood of and in contact with the collar 123.

The handle 117 is fitted with the portion of the handle shaft 106outside the nut 133 in a rotation preventive manner and is preventedfrom slipping off the handle shaft 106 by a bag nut 134.

The nut 133 is fitted with a polygonal through hole formed in a dragadjusting knob 135 in such a manner that it is freely movable back andforth in the axial direction of the drag adjusting knob 135.

In the side portion of the reel side plate 102 outside the bearing 122by which the handle shaft 106 is journaled, there is formed a recessedportion 102f. Between the recessed portion 102f and the drag adjustingknob 135, there is rotatably interposed an intermediate member 136 whichis formed of a synthetic resin hard material or a hard felt. And,between the drag adjusting knob 135 and handle 117, there is interposedanother intermediate member 137 which is formed of an O-ring.

The above-mentioned reversal preventive ratchet wheel 125 is fitted withthe handle shaft 106 in a rotation preventive manner and, as shown inFIGS. 16A, 16B and 18, a reversal preventive claw 139 held by andbetween two spring plates 138 and 138 is rotatably journaled on theoutside of the ratchet wheel 125, the two spring plates 138 and 138 holdthe two side surfaces of the ratchet wheel 125 between them, and theleading end of the reversal preventive claw 139 is freely engageablewith securing teeth formed in the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel125.

The interior of the reel side plate 102 is structured as a gear box and,in the gear box, there is stored the clutch mechanism B structured suchthat the above-mentioned clutch operation element 107 can be operated orrotated by operating or rotating the switch-over element 108 through theintermediate member 109.

The clutch mechanism B includes the engaging portion 105a of the pinion105 engageable with and disengageable from the engaging portion 104c ofthe spool shaft 104, a clutch cam 107a provided in the clutch operationelement 107, a clutch plate 141 as well as, the kick gear 124, kicklever 142, switch-over element 108, and intermediate member 109.

As shown in FIGS. 18 to 21, the clutch operation element 107 includestwo clutch cams 107a in the end face thereof, and projection portions107b, 107c in the outer periphery thereof to which large and small pins143 and 144 are fixed.

One end of the kick lever 142 is rotatably fitted with the pin 144.

A pin 145 is fixed to the other end of the kick lever 142, on the twosides of the other end of the kick lever 142, a guide metal fitting 146and a margin pin 147 are mounted to the left side frame 101, and theother end of the kick lever 142 is arranged so as to face the kick gear124.

The switch-over element 108, which is an L-shaped plate, includes athumb operation portion 108a projected externally from the left sideframe 101 and bent, and a connecting portion 108c having an elongatedhole 108b opened up therein.

The switch-over element 108 is rotatably supported by a shaft portion148 fixed to the left side frame 101, and a dead point spring 149 isinterposed between the switch-over element 108 and the left side frame101.

The intermediate member 109 includes a fan-shaped connecting portion109a and an arm portion 109c having an elongated hole 109b opened uptherein, and the intermediate member 109 is rotatably supported by ashaft portion 150 fixed to the left side frame 101.

A pin 151 is fixed to the connecting portion 109a of the intermediatemember 109 and is also inserted into the elongated hole formed in theswitch-over element 108.

The pin 143 of the clutch operation element 107 is inserted into theelongated hole 109b formed in the arm portion 109c.

The thumb operation portion 108a of the switch-over element 108, asshown in FIGS. 15 and 17, is disposed at a position where the tip of thethumb of one hand or the hand holding the reel can be put the thumboperation portion 108a when the whole reel is held in and by one hand.

As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, a shaft cylinder portion 101h isprojectingly formed in the support plate 101", and the bearing 114 ismounted to a recessed portion formed inside the shaft cylinder portion101h.

A shaft cylinder portion 103a is projectingly formed in the inside ofthe reel side plate 103, and the bearing 115 is fitted with and mountedto a recessed portion formed inside the shaft cylinder portion 103a,while a thrust bearing is fixed to the inside bottom surface of theshaft cylinder 103a and the other end 104d of the spool shaft 104 is incontact with the thrust bearing.

A gear 152 is fitted in a rotation preventive manner with the outerperiphery of the other end 104d of the spool shaft 104 projected fromthe support plate 101" toward the reel side plate 103, while the gear152 is prevented against slippage by an E ring 153.

A level wind device C is disposed between the right and left side frames101 and 101' and in front of the spool 111 on the fishline play-outdirection side, and a gear 155 is mounted to one end of a traverse camshaft 154 of the level wind device C.

A gear 157 journaled on a shaft 156 provided in the support plate 101"is interposed between and in mesh with the gears 152 and 155.

The level wind device C, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, includes a guidecylinder 158, a fishline guide member 159 which is slidable right andleft along the outer periphery of the guide cylinder 158, theabove-mentioned traverse cam shaft 154 fixed to the two ends of theguide cylinder 158 and journaled by a bearing (not shown), an engagingmember 160 stored in the fishline guide member 159 and engageable with atraverse groove formed in the traverse cam shaft 154, a cap 161 forholding the engaging member 160 in a slippage preventive manner, and aguide rod 162 for holding the fishline guide member 159 in parallel withthe guide cylinder 158.

A hard fishline guide ring 163 is fixed to the fishline guide member159, while a fishline 164 is inserted through the hard fishline guidering 163 before it is wound around the spool 111.

The traverse cam shaft 154 can be rotated in linking with the rotationof the spool shaft 104.

Alternatively, the traverse cam shaft 154 may be structured such that itcan be rotated in linking with the rotation of the handle shaft 106.

The two ends of the clutch plate 141 are respectively fitted with twosupport members 165 and 165 respectively fixed to the left side frame101 and are energized by a spring (not shown) in a direction where theengaging portion 104c of the spool shaft 104 and the engaging portion105a of the pinion 105 are engaged with each other.

The clutch plate 141 includes in the central portion thereof anarc-shaped recessed portion which can be fitted with the groove 105bformed in the pinion 105.

As shown in FIG. 23, the reel side plate 103 includes in the outer sidesurface thereof recessed grooves 103b and 103c respectively formed atpositions where fingers can be applied when the whole reel is heldwithin one hand, and the reel side plate 103 also includes a steppedportion 103d in the upper portion thereof.

Referring to the operation of the present fishing reel of a doublebearing type, in the clutch-on state in which the thumb operationportion 108a of the switch-over element 108 is held at the solid lineposition in FIGS. 15 and 17, and the engaging portion 104c of the spoolshaft 104 is in engagement with the engaging portion 105a of the pinion105 as shown in FIG. 18, if the handle 117 is rotated counterclockwisein FIGS. 17 and 19, then the pinion 105 is rotated through the drivegear 116 due to the rotation of the handle shaft 106, so that thefishline 164 can be wound around the spool 111.

When adjusting the brake force of the drive gear 116 frictionallyconnected to the handle shaft 106 through the drag mechanism, the dragadjusting knob 135 may be rotated.

If the drag adjusting knob 135 is rotated, then the nut 133 is advancedor retreated to push against the collar 123, and the brake plates 127,129 are pushed by the drive gear 116 through the springs 131, 131 andpressure disk 130, as well as through the respective friction plates, sothat the brake force of the drive gear 116 can be adjusted.

If the handle 117 is rotated, then the drive gear 116 is rotatedcounterclockwise due to the preset brake force and, at the same time,the kick gear 124 and ratchet wheel 125 are rotated counterclockwise.

If the ratchet wheel 125 is rotated counterclockwise, then the springplates 138, 138 and reversal preventive securing claw 139 are rotatedclockwise due to the friction between the ratchet wheel 125 and springplates 138, 138 to thereby disengage the leading end of the reversalpreventive securing claw 139 from the securing teeth of the ratchetwheel 125, so that the ratchet wheel 125 can be rotated integrally withthe drive gear 116.

Next, if the spool 101 is rotated reversely due to the play-out of thefishline 164, then the drive gear 116 and ratchet wheel 125 are rotatedclockwise and the spring plates 138, 138 and reversal preventive claw139 are rotated clockwise, so the leading end of the reversal preventivesecuring claw 139 is secured to the securing teeth of the ratchet wheel135.

This securing stops the rotation of the handle shaft 106 and, therefore,the drive gear 116 can be rotated against the preset brake force.

Then, if the thumb operation portion 108a of the switch-over element 108is rotated counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 22, then it takes aposition shown by a two-dot chained line in FIGS. 15 and 17, theconnecting portion 108c of the switch-over element 108 is rotated, theintermediate member 109 is rotated counterclockwise, and the clutchoperation element 107 is rotated clockwise.

Due to this rotation, the clutch plate 141 is lifted up by the clutchcam 107a to remove the engagement between the engaging portion 105a ofthe pinion 105 and the engaging portion 104c of the spool shaft 104 tothereby turn the clutch mechanism into its clutch-off state, so that thespool 11 can be rotated freely.

When the clutch operation element 107 is rotated, then the kick lever142 is advanced in the right direction in FIG. 22 and the pin 145 of thekick lever 142 is set at a position where it is contactable with thekick projection of the kick gear 124.

Next, if the handle 117 is rotated in the fishline take-up direction,then the ratchet wheel 125 and drive gear 116 are rotatedcounterclockwise in FIG. 22, the kick projection of the kick gear 124 iscontacted with the pin 145 of the kick lever 142 to thereby push backthe kick lever 142 in the right and left direction, the clutch operationelement 107 is rotated or retreated counterclockwise, the engagementbetween the clutch cam 107a and clutch plate 141 is removed, and theengaging portion 105a of the pinion 105 is engaged with the engagingportion 104c of the spool shaft 104, thereby turning the clutchmechanism into the clutch-on state shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

In the clutch-on state, if the handle 117 is rotated clockwise, then thepinion 105 and spool shaft 104 are rotated to thereby rotate the spool111, the fishline guide member 159 of the level wind device C is slidright and left along the outer periphery of the guide cylinder 158, andthe fishline 164 is wound parallel around the spool 111.

With use of the present fishing reel of a double bearing type structuredin the above-mentioned manner,

(1) the thumb operation portion 108a of the switch-over element 108 issituated at a position where the tip of the thumb can be put on thethumb operation portion 108a when the whole reel is held in one handand, therefore, the thumb operation portion 108a can be operated orshifted with the one hand holding the whole reel;

(2) since the thumb can be placed on the flange outer periphery of thespool 111 after the thumb operation portion 108a is operated or shifted,the thumbing operation allowable state can be obtained immediately afterthe clutch mechanism is turned into the clutch-off state;

(3) while the handle 117 is being held by the other hand, the reel canbe operated;

(4) in fighting against a fish, with the whole reel held in one hand,the switching operation of the switch-over element 108 as well as thethumbing operation can be performed with the one hand, while the handle117 can be operated by the other hand, thereby eliminating the need tomove or shift any of the two hands;

(5) the recessed grooves 103b and 103c as well as stepped portion 103dare formed in the outside surface of the reel side plate 103, inparticular, at the positions thereof where fingers can be applied whenthe whole reel is held in one hand and, therefore, the position of thehand holding the whole reel can be determined;

(6) since the handle 117 is situated nearer to the body of an angler,when performing the handle operation, the arm and side of the angler'sbody can be closed tight to thereby be able to not only perform thefishline take-up operation smoothly and stably but only reduce theoscillation of the reel;

(7) since the adjusting knob 118 for pressure contact with the endportion of the spool shaft 104 is situated in front of the handle 117,the adjusting operation of the adjusting knob 118 can be performedeasily;

(8) since the handle 117 for take-up operation is mounted on the portionof the reel side plate 102 that is disposed in the rear of the spoolshaft 104, the center of gravity of the reel and the mounting positionof the handle 117 are nearer to the position of the hand holding thereel and, therefore, in casting, even if the spool 111 is operated whilethe reel is being held in the thumbing operation allowable state, notonly the reel is easy to hold but also the fishing rod and reel are easyto swing;

(9) because the level wind device C is disposed in front of the spoolshaft 104 and the handle shaft 106 is disposed in the rear of the spoolshaft 104, that is, they are disposed separately from each other, notonly the drive portion can be mounted onto the reel main body A in awell-balanced manner but also the whole reel can be improved in balance;and,

Also, since the traverse cam shaft 154, handle shaft 106, and spoolshaft 104 are not disposed collectively, the reel is improved inmanufacturing, assembling, dismantling, and maintenance or repairing.

Now, in FIGS. 24 and 25, there is shown a fishing reel of a doublebearing type according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,in which a right reel side plate thereof is modified. In particular,FIG. 24 is a side view of the fishing reel of a double bearing type onthe right reel side plate side thereof, and FIG. 25 is a back view ofthe present fishing reel of a double bearing type.

The fourth embodiment is made by applying the following modification tothe third embodiment.

The reel side plate 103 includes on the outer side surface thereof aring 103e through which a finger can be inserted when the whole reel isheld in one hand.

If the finger insertable ring 103e is provided, then the reel can beheld fast.

Although the foregoing description has been given assuming that thepresent invention is applied to the left-hand reel, the same operationand effect can be obtained even when the invention is applied to theright-hand reel.

Also, in the foregoing description, although the reel main body A isstructured such that the two right and left side frames 101, 101',support plate 101a and fixing plate 101b are formed integral with oneanother, alternatively, these elements may be formed separately from oneanother and the right and left side frames 101 and 101' may be heldparallel to each other.

Now, description will be given below in detail of a double bearing typefishing reel with a fishline parallel winding device according to afifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 26 is a plan view of a reel of a double bearing type whichincorporates therein a fishline parallel winding device, whichconstitutes a fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 27 is asection view taken along the line 27--27 shown in FIG. 26, and FIG. 28is a back view of the reel shown in FIG. 26.

Between the right and left side plates 201a and 201b of a reel main body201, there is rotatably supported a spool shaft 205 on which a spool 203is mounted by means of two bearings 202a and 202b. On the end portion ofthe spool shaft 205, there is mounted a pinion 207 which is in mesh witha drive gear 210 mounted on a handle shaft 208. Due to this structure,if a handle 212 is rotatively operated, then the spool 205 can berotatively driven. And, since the handle shaft 208 includes ananti-reversal mechanism (not shown), the handle 212 can be rotativelyoperated only in the fishline winding direction. Also, a clutchmechanism (which will be discussed later) is provided in the side plate201b and, if a clutch lever 260 is operated, then the spool 203 can befreely rotated in the fishline play-out direction.

Between the right and left side plates 201a and 201b of the spool 203respectively disposed on the fishline play-out side and on the oppositeside thereof, there is rotatably supported a traverse shaft 215 whichincludes a traverse groove 215a formed in the outer peripheral surfacethereof a gear 217 formed in the end portion thereof and meshable withthe drive gear 210. The traverse shaft 215 is stored within a guidecylinder 220, which is mounted between the right and left side plates201a and 201b and includes an elongated hole 220a formed on the lowerside thereof and extending in the axial direction of the guide cylinder220, in such a manner that the traverse shaft 215 can be rotativelydriven within the guide cylinder 220.

The guide cylinder 220 includes on the outer peripheral surface thereofa projecting portion 220b which extends along the axial direction of theguide cylinder 220, while there is disposed a drive element 225 in sucha manner that it encloses the outer peripheral surface and projectingportion 220b of the guide cylinder 220. In this case, the projectingportion 220b performs a rotation preventive function to prevent thedrive element 225 against rotation when the drive element 225reciprocates along the guide cylinder 220. The drive element 225includes in the lower portion thereof a storage portion 225a in whichthere is stored an engaging member 227 engageable with the traversegroove 215a through the elongated hole 220a formed in the guide cylinder220. In the outer peripheral surface of the storage portion 225a thereis formed a screw groove on which a bag nut 229 is mounted. The bag nut229 includes a downwardly extending connecting portion 229a which is inengagement with an operation element (which will be discussed later) insuch a manner that it is prevented from slipping off the operationelement.

Between the right and left side plates 201a and 201b existing in thelower portion of the spool 203, there is disposed a rod mounting portion230 which is used to mount the reel main body 201 onto a rod. As shownin FIG. 27, the central portion of a bent plate-shaped operation element235 is journaled on the surface of the rod mounting portion 230 by acollar 237 and a support shaft 238 disposed within the collar 237, whilethe operation element 235 can be rotated about the journaled portionthereof (see FIG. 28). In one end of the operation element 235, there isformed an elongated hole 235a into which the connecting portion 229a ofthe bag nut 229 can be inserted in such a manner that it is preventedfrom slipping off the elongated hole 235a, and, in the outer endthereof, there is provided a fishline guide element 240 includingtherein a fishline guide hole 241 through which a fishline S woundaround the spool 203 can be inserted.

In the above-mentioned structure, description will be given below of afishline take-up operation, that is, an operation to turn the handle 212to thereby wind the fishline around the spool.

The spool 203 is rotatively driven so that the fishline can be woundaround the spool 203 through the drive gear 210 and pinion 207. Also,the traverse shaft 215 is rotated through the gear 217 by means of therotation of the drive gear 210. Since the engaging member 227 is inengagement with the traverse groove 215a, if the traverse shaft 15 isrotated, then the drive element 225 including the engaging member 227reciprocates along the guide cylinder 220. In this case, the driveelement 225 reciprocates along the guide cylinder 220 in such a mannerthat it is prevented against rotation by the projecting portion 220bformed in the guide cylinder 220. With the reciprocating sliding motionof the drive element 225, the operation element 235 is driven in such amanner that it is rotated about the support shaft 238 and between thetwo side plates 201a and 201b. Although the leading end portion of theoperation element 235 is going to move in an arc-like manner, theoperation element 235 is forced to reciprocate along the traverse shaft215 because the connecting portion 229a moves within the elongated hole235a formed in the operation element 235.

Since the operation element 235 is rotated about the support shaft 238,the fishline guide element 240 is reciprocated right and left in frontof the spool 203. For this reason, when winding the fishline S aroundthe spool 203, the fishline guide element 240 is reciprocated along thespool 203 in front of the spool 203, so that the fishline S can be woundaround the spool 203 uniformly.

Here, to rotate the operation element 235 stably, preferably, forexample, as shown in FIG. 27, between the right and left side plates201a and 201b, there may be interposed guide members in such a mannerthat they hold the operation element 235 between them. Such guidemembers may be provided at two or more positions or may be provided onthe rear side of the spool 203.

Also, between the right and left side plates 201a and 201b, in order toprevent the reciprocating movement of the drive element 225 frominterfering the actual fishline take-up operation, there is provided acover 247 above the drive element 225. In order to perform themaintenance operation of the above-mentioned sliding drive portion withease, preferably, the cover 247 may be structured in such a manner thatit can be freely mounted on and removed from the right and left sideplates 201a and 201b or it can be freely opened and closed with respectto the right and left side plates 201a and 201b. Here, since thefishline guide element 240 disposed in front of the spool 203 is alsoreciprocated, similarly, there is provided a cover 249 above thefishline guide element 240. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 27, thefishline guide element 240 is situated in front of the cover 249 but,however, the shape of the operation element 235 as well as the positionand shape of the cover 249 can be changed variously so that the cover249 is able to cover the whole of the fishline guide element 240.

Next, description will be given below of the structure of the clutchmechanism which is used to rotate the spool 203 freely in the fishlineplay-out direction with reference to FIG. 29. In particular, FIG. 29 isa section view taken along the line 29--29 shown in FIG. 26, showing thestructure of the clutch mechanism. A clutch lever 260 shown in FIG. 26is formed in a stepped shape as shown in FIG. 29 and is rotatablysupported on the side plate 1b by a support shaft 261. The clutch lever260 includes in the leading end portion thereof an elongated hole 260ainto which there is inserted an engaging projection portion 263a formedin an operation element 263 supported rotatably on the side plate 201bby a support shaft 265. To the engaging projection portion 263a, thereis secured the other end of a divisional spring 264 with one end thereofmounted on the side plate 201b, so that the on/off portion of the clutchlever 260 can be held divisionally. On the opposite side of theoperation element 263 to the engaging projection portion 263a, there isformed an elongated hole 263b into which there is inserted an engagingprojection portion 267a formed in a rotary cam 267 which is supportedrotatably on the spool shaft 205.

The pinion 207 is mounted slidably along the spool shaft 205 in such amanner to be able to take a position where it can be engaged with thespool shaft 205 and can be rotated integrally therewith as well as totake a position where it can be disengaged from the spool shaft 205 andcan be rotated freely with respect to the spool shaft 205. The pinion207 includes a clutch plate 272 which is journaled in the leading endsof the two arm portion thereof. The clutch plate 272 is normallyenergized by two springs 270 respectively provided in the leading endsof the two arm portions thereof such that the clutch plate 272 is keptin contact with the surface of the rotary cam 267. The rotary cam 267includes in the peripheral end portions thereof two cam surfaces 267bwhich are respectively formed in an inclined surface and are engageablewith the two arm portions of the clutch plate 272. If the rotary cam 267is rotated counterclockwise from a position shown in FIG. 29, then theclutch plate 272 is lifted up against the energizing force of the spring270 due to the inclination of the cam surfaces 267b. And, if the clutchplate 272 is lifted up, then the pinion 207 is slid to a position inwhich it can be rotated freely with respect to the spool shaft 205.

The rotary cam 267 includes in the outer peripheral portion thereof aprojection portion 267c on which the base end portion of a returningplate 273 is mounted. The leading end portion of the returning plate 273is engageable with a returning gear 277 which can be rotated integrallywith the handle shaft 208 when the rotary cam 267 is rotatedcounterclockwise.

Next, description will be given below of the operation of the clutchmechanism structured in the above manner.

The state of the clutch mechanism shown by solid lines in FIG. 29illustrates the on state of the clutch. In this state, if the handleshaft 208 is rotated in a fishline take-out direction shown by an arrowline, then the drive force is transmitted through the pinion 207 to thespool shaft 205 and thus the spool is rotatively driven in the fishlinewinding direction. From this state, if the clutch lever 260 is operatedin a manner shown by a two-dot chained line, then the clutch lever 260is rotated clockwise about the support shaft 261, with the result thatthe operation element 263 is also rotated clockwise about the supportshaft 265. If the operation element 263 is rotated clockwise, then therotary cam 267 is rotated counterclockwise and thus, due to the camsurfaces 267b, the clutch plate 272 is lifted up against energizingforce of the spring 270. If the clutch plate 272 is lifted up, then thepinion 207 is slid to the position where it can be rotated freely withrespect to the spool shaft 205, thereby removing the engagement betweenthe pinion 207 and spool shaft 205. This allows the spool shaft 205 tobe rotated freely in the fishline play-out direction. This state is keptby the divisional spring 264. Also, in this state, the leading end ofthe returning plate 273 is in engagement with the returning gear 277.

While the clutch lever 260 is in the above-mentioned off state, if thehandle shaft is rotated in the fishline take-up direction, then thereturning gear 277 pushes back the returning plate 273 to thereby rotatethe rotary cam 267 clockwise. Due to this clockwise rotation of therotary cam 267, the clutch plate 272 is brought into contact with thesurface of the rotary cam 267 by means of the energizing force of thespring 270, thereby returning the pinion 207 to the position where itcan be engaged with the spool shaft 205 and can be rotated integrallywith the spool shaft 205. As a result of this, the clutch lever 260 isrotated to the position shown by the solid line and is retained in thisposition by the divisional spring 264. That is, if the handle isoperated in the fishline winding direction, then the clutch-on state canbe obtained again.

Of course, the above-mentioned clutch mechanism is just one example andthe structure of the clutch mechanism can be changed in various manners.

Next, description will be given below of a modification of a fishlineparallel winding device according to the fifth embodiment of theinvention with reference to FIG. 30. In this modification, when comparedwith the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 26, the handle shaft 208 isdisposed in front of the spool shaft 205 and the clutch lever 260 of theclutch mechanism is disposed in the rear of the spool shaft 205. And,the transmission of the drive force to the traverse shaft 215 is carriedout from the opposite side plate 201a through a gear 216a mounted on theopposite side of the spool shaft 205 and a gear 216b meshable with thegear 216a.

The above-mentioned arrangement of the handle shaft and clutch lever inthis modification is conventionally known well and the fishline parallelwinding device according to the invention is provided in the thusstructured reel of a double bearing type. That is, the present inventionis characterized in that the fishline guide member of the fishlineparallel winding device and the reciprocative drive portion forreciprocating the fishline guide member are provided in the front andrear portion of the spool separately from each other and are thenconnected together. And, the positions of the handle shaft and clutchlever are not limited to the illustrated structure but they can bechanged in various manners.

Now, in FIGS. 31 and 32, there is shown a sixth embodiment of a fishlineparallel winding device according to the invention. In particular, FIG.31 is a back view of a double bearing type reel which incorporatestherein a fishline parallel winding device according to the sixthembodiment of the invention, and FIG. 32 is a section view taken alongthe line 32--32 shown in FIG. 31.

In the sixth embodiment, a fishline guide element 240, which is disposedon the fishline play-out side of the spool 203, is supported on a guiderod 280 which is provided between the right and left side plates 201aand 201b. The guide rod 280, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, is formed inan elliptic shape and, due to this, the fishline guide element 240 issupported on the guide rod 280 in such a manner that it is preventedagainst rotation and is freely slidable in the axial direction. Thefishline guide element 240 includes in the lower portion thereof aconnecting portion 240a which is inserted into an elongated hole 235bformed in the end portion of the operation element 235 in such a mannerthat the connecting portion 240a is prevented against slippage off thehole 235b. The remaining portions of the structure of the sixthembodiment are similar to those of the structure shown in FIGS. 26 or30.

According to the present structure, since the fishline guide element 240is reciprocated in such a manner that it is always parallel to the spool203, the fishline can be wound uniformly around the spool 203 morestably. Also, the operation element 235 is supported in the two endportions thereof and, therefore, the rotational operation thereof can bestabilized. Of course, in the sixth embodiment as well, the guideelement 245 shown in FIG. 27 may be interposed between the right andleft side plates 201a and 201b.

Now, in FIGS. 33 and 34, there is shown a seventh embodiment of afishline parallel winding device according to the invention. Inparticular, FIG. 33 is a longitudinal section view of a reel of a doublebearing type, and FIG. 34 is a section view taken along the line 34--34shown in FIG. 33. The seventh embodiment is characterized by the supportportion of an operation element as well as by the drive side end portionof the operation element.

A rod mounting portion 330, which supports or journals an operationelement 335 in a rotatable manner, includes a projecting portion 331 inthe central portion thereof. The journaled portion or central portion ofthe operation element 335 is journaled from the back surface side of theprojection portion 331 between the cylindrical element 332, which isdisposed on the back surface side of the projection portion 331 and isprevented against removal or slippage by the upper surface of theprojecting portion 331, and the back surface of the projecting portion331 through a washer 333 and a screw 335a. In order that the operationelement 335 can be rotated about the journaled portion thereof, in thefront and rear wall portions of the projecting portion 331, there arerespectively formed cutaway portions 331a and 331b through which theoperation element 335 can be inserted. By supporting the operationelement 335 on the back surface side of the rod mounting portion 330 inthis manner, the exposed portion of the device can be reduced, which notonly prevents the fishline from getting entangled but also improves theappearance of the device and thus the reel. Of course, the presentstructure employed in the rod mounting portion can also be used in thepreviously described embodiments.

Also, in the present embodiment, the elongated hole 320a of a guidecylinder 320 is opened on the spool (203) side thereof and an engagingmember 327 provided in a drive element 325 is arranged so as face thespool 203. Due to this, the operation element 335 is raised upvertically in the rear of the spool 203 side and a bag nut 329 providedin the drive element 325 is supported in a slippage preventive manner inthe leading end portion of the vertically raised portion of theoperation element 335. In this case, in order that the drive element 325can be slid right and left and the leading end side of the operationelement 335 can be moved (back and forth) in an arc manner, the bag nut329 is extended toward the spool 203 side and the leading end portion ofthe operation element 335 is supported in the extended portion of thebag nut 329 in such a manner that it is prevented against slippage withsome play in the back and forth direction. The whole top portion of theabove-mentioned driving portion is covered with a cover 347 which isdisposed over the driving portion. Since the driving portion isstructured in a horizontal shape in this manner, the height of thedriving portion can be controlled down to a low level, which improvesthe holdability of the reel and thus improves the fishingoperationability of the reel further.

Now, FIGS. 35A to 35C respectively show the modified versions of thehorizontal-shaped driving portion according to the third embodiment. Inany one of the three modifications, the drive element 325 and operationelement 335 are engaged with each other in such a manner that theoperation element 335 can be moved back and forth when the drive element325 is slid right and left.

In particular, in the modification shown in FIG. 35A, between the driveelement 325 and bag nut 329, there is interposed a hold member 310 forfixing them to each other, while an engaging portion 310a formedprojectingly on the lower side of the hold member 310 is supported bythe operation element 335 in a slippage preventive manner. The leadingend side of the operation element 335 is bent in a horizontal directionand a U-shaped cutaway portion 335a is formed in the leading end portionof the operation element 335. The lower side projecting portion of thehold member 310 is supported by the cutaway portion 335a in a slippagepreventive manner and the operation element 335 can be moved back andforth.

Also, in the modification shown in FIG. 35B, the bag nut 329 includes anengaging portion 329a which projects out toward the spool (203) side.The engaging portion 329a is located in the U-shaped cutaway portion335a formed in the leading end portion of the operation element 335,while the operation element 335 can be moved back and forth.

Further, in the modification shown in FIG. 35C, in the outer peripheralsurface of the drive element 325, there is formed integrally therewithan engaging portion 325a which projects out downwardly, and the engagingportion 325a is supported in a slippage preventive manner by theoperation element 335 having such a structure as shown in FIG. 35A. Inthis manner, according to the invention, the engaging portions of thedriving portion and operation element can be changed in various manners.Also, although not shown, the driving portion can also be structured inan inclined manner, besides in the horizontal direction and in thevertical direction.

Now, in FIGS. 36 to 38, there is shown an eighth embodiment of afishline parallel winding device according to the invention. Inparticular, FIG. 36 is a front view of a reel main body, FIG. 37 is anenlarged longitudinal section view of a reel front portion, and FIG. 38is a top plan view of the reel front portion. The fourth embodiment ischaracterized by a fishline guide member. An operation element 435includes a front leading end side which is bent in a horizontaldirection and is also folded in a U-shaped manner in the end portionthereof to thereby provide a U-shaped folded portion 435a. To theU-shaped folded portion 435a, there is connected a fishline guide member340 including an elongated hole 340a through which the fishline can beinserted. The connection between the operation element 435 and thefishline guide member 340 can be achieved by staking, by bonding or byuse of a retaining ring or the like in such a manner that they areprevented against slippage or removal. The end portion of the fishlineguide member 340 on the opposite side thereof is slidably engaged with asupport portion 350a formed in a support member 350 interposed betweenthe right and left side plates 201a and 201b of the reel main body. Inthis case, the fishline guide member 340 draws an arc-shaped locus dueto the rotation of the operation element 435 and, for this reason, thesupport portion 350a is structured in such an arc shape as shown in FIG.38.

According to this structure, since a hole through which the fishline isinserted can be formed in such a manner that it extends in thelongitudinal direction thereof, there is eliminated the possibility thatthe fishline can be rubbed against the hole and thus can be damaged.Also, because the portion of the operation element 435 with which thefishline can come into contact is folded in a curved surface (that is,the folded portion 435a), the fishline is prevented against damage.Further, as the fishline guide member 340 is slidably guided by thesupport member 350 even in the upper end portion thereof, the fishlineguide member 340 can be rotated stably. In this case, if the horizontalportion 435b of the operation element 435 is structured such that it canbe held by and between a pair of guide members 345 respectivelyinterposed between the right and left side plates 201a and 201b of thereel main body, the leading end side of the operation element 435 can berotated more stably.

Now, in FIG. 39, there is shown a modification in which, similarly tothe structure shown in FIG. 32, the fishline guide member 340 disposedon the fishline play-out side of the spool 203 is supported by a guiderod 380 interposed between the right and left side plates of the reelmain body. The guide rod 380, as shown in FIG. 39, has an elliptic shapeand, due to this, a folded portion 340a formed in the lower end portionof the fishline guide member 340 is prevented against rotation by theguide rod 380 and is supported slidably in the axial direction thereof.And, the folded portion 340a includes a connecting portion 340b which isinserted into an elongated hole 435b formed in the end portion of theoperation element 435 in a slippage preventive manner. As a result ofthis, since the fishline guide member 340 is reciprocated always inparallel to the spool 203, the fishline can be wound uniformly aroundthe spool 203 more stably. Also, as the operation element 435 issupported in the two end portions thereof, the rotational operation ofthe operation element 435 can be stabilized. Of course, the supportportion 350a formed in the support member 350 is structured in a linearshape.

It should be noted here that the characteristic portion of theembodiments and modifications of the invention described above withreference to the accompanying drawings can be changed in various mannerby combining them with one another properly.

As has been described heretofore, according to the fifth to eighthembodiments of the invention, since the fishline guide member and thesliding drive portion for reciprocating the fishline guide member areseparated from each other and are disposed respectively in the front andrear portions of the spool, when the fishline containing a large amountof seawater, sand, dust and the like is guided to and wound around thespool, the seawater, sand, dust and the like can be prevented fromadhering to the sliding drive portion, which allows the sliding driveportion to be operated always stably.

Also, due to the fact that the main elements of the fishline parallelwinding device are disposed respectively in the front and rear portionsof the reel, that is, separately from each other, the effective use ofthe space can be achieved, the front portion of the reel can be reducedin space and can be made compact in size, the whole reel can be improvedin balance, and the center of gravity of the reel can be stabilized,which results in the improved fishing operationability of the reel.

In addition, the right and left side frames may be formed to havedifferent configurations in each of the embodiments. For example, theright side frame may be reduced in size in comparison to the left sideframe to which a handle is arranged, to thereby enhance the holdabilityof the reel. FIG. 40 shows a modification of the third embodiment shownin FIG. 15, in which the right side frame 101' and thus the right sideplate 103 are reduced in the longitudinal length in comparison to theleft side frame 101. In connection to this arrangement, the rear edge101a^(E) of the rear support plate 101a is curved upwardly rightward inFIG. 40, and further the rightward portion 101a^(R) of the rear supportplate 101a is decreased in height in comparison to the leftward portion101a^(L) to form the stepped upper surface 101a^(U) which can receive,in a stable manner, the proximal portion of the thumb of the angler'shand grasping the right side plate 103 as shown in FIG. 41. Since theangler's right hand grasping the side plate 103 is positioned slightlyrearwardly in comparison to that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, thethumb operation portion 108a of the switch-over element 108 is alsolocated slightly rearwardly, so that the tip of the thumb of theangler's hand grasping the right side plate 103 is ergonomicallyreceived on the operation portion 108a. In this modification, theoperation portion 108a is located between the spool shaft of the spool111 and the handle shaft of the handle 117 in the plan view. Inaddition, a notched portion 500 is formed in the left side plate 102 andleft side frame 101 to make the operation portion 108a flush with theouter peripheries of the left side plate 102 and left side frame 101.

What is claimed is:
 1. A double bearing type fishing reel, comprising:aspool arranged between first and second side plates of a reel main bodyand rotatable about a first axis for receiving a fishline around saidspool, said fishline being delivered from said spool in a fishlineplay-out direction, said first side plate defining first and secondends, said first end being a first farthest point of said first sideplate from said first axis in said fishline play-out direction, and saidsecond end being a second farthest point of said first side plate fromsaid first axis in a direction opposite to said fishline play-outdirection; a handle arranged on said first side plate and rotatableabout a second axis, said handle being linked with said spool to rotatesaid spool to wind said fishline around said spool, and said second axisis located within a space defined longitudinally between said first axisand said second end; and a fishline parallel winding device for windingsaid fishline uniformly around said spool, wherein said fishlineparallel winding device has a drive element which converts a rotationalmotion input from said handle into a reciprocating motion and whereinsaid drive element is substantially located between said first andsecond side plates.
 2. A double bearing type fishing reel according toclaim 1, wherein a drive gear is concentrically arranged on a handleshaft of said handle, meshes with a pinion fitted on a spool shaft ofsaid spool, and is located entirely within said space.
 3. A doublebearing type fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein an adjustingknob is concentrically arranged with respect to said spool and is inpressure-contact with an end of a spool shaft of said spool and whereinsaid adjusting knob is exposed from said reel main body for manualrotation.
 4. A double bearing type fishing reel according to claim 1,wherein said fishline parallel winding device is linked with said spoolthrough gear means installed on said second side plate.
 5. A doublebearing type fishing reel according to claim 1, further comprising:aclutch device for disconnecting said spool from said handle, said clutchdevice having a manual operation portion exposed from said reel mainbody, said manual operation portion being located above an outerperiphery of said first side plate and longitudinally between said firstaxis and said first end for ergonomically receiving thereon a thumb ofan angler's hand grasping said second side plate.
 6. A double bearingtype fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein said second side plateis formed with a pair of inclined grooves for ergonomically receivingindex and middle fingers of an angler's hand grasping said second sideplate.
 7. A double bearing type fishing reel according to claim 1,wherein said second side plate has a ring portion into which an indexfinger of an anger's hand grasping said second side plate is insertable.8. A double bearing type fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein saidfishline parallel winding device further comprises:a fishline guidemember which guides said fishline and is located remotely from saidfirst axis in said fishline play-out direction; and an operation elementcoupling said drive element to said fishline guide member for movingsaid fishline guide member in response to said rotational motionswherein said drive element is located between said first axis and saidsecond end.
 9. A double bearing type fishing reel according to claim 8,wherein said operation element is pivotably arranged on said reel mainbody.
 10. A double bearing type fishing reel according to claim 8,wherein said fishline guide member is slidably supported on a guide rodextending between said first and second side plates.
 11. A doublebearing type fishing reel according to claim 8, wherein said fishlineguide member includes a first end portion connected to said operationelement and a second end portion opposite from said first end portionand slidably supported by said reel main body.
 12. A double bearing typefishing reel according to claim 8, wherein said drive elementcomprises:a traverse shaft which is disposed between said first andsecond side plates and which converts said rotational motion input fromsaid handle into said reciprocating motion; and a drive element memberwhich is coupled to said traverse shaft and follows said reciprocatingmotion, wherein said operation element is coupled to said drive elementmember.
 13. A double bearing type fishing reel according to claim 1,further comprising:a fishline parallel winding device for uniformlywinding said fishline around said spool, said fishline parallel windingdevice being linked with said handle through gear means installed onsaid first side plate.
 14. A double bearing type fishing reel accordingto claim 1, further comprising:a clutch device for disconnecting saidspool from said handle, said clutch device having a manual operationportion exposed from said reel main body, said manual operation portionbeing located above an outer periphery of said first side plate andlongitudinally between said first axis and said first end.
 15. A doublebearing type fishing reel according to claim 14, wherein said manualoperation portion is located so as to ergonomically receive a thumb ofan angler's hand grasping said second side plate and wherein said secondside plate is formed with a pair of inclined grooves for ergonomicallyreceiving index and middle fingers of said angler's hand grasping saidsecond side plate.
 16. A double bearing type fishing reel according toclaim 15, wherein said second side plate has a ring portion into whichan index finger of said anger's hand grasping said second side plate isinsertable.
 17. A double bearing type fishing reel according to claim 1,further comprising:a fishline parallel winding device for uniformlywinding said fishline around said spool, said winding device having afishline guide member located within a space defined longitudinallybetween said first axis and said first end.
 18. A double bearing typefishing reel which comprises:a reel main body having two side plates; aspool, supported rotatably between said two side plates, for taking up afishline; a handle rotatably mounted on one of said two side plates,wherein said spool rotates in response to a rotation of said handle,wherein said handle is rotatably mounted on a first portion of said oneof said side plates, said first portion is situated on a rear side of aspool shaft supporting said spool, and said rear side is situatedopposite to a fishline play-out direction; and a fishline parallelwinding device for winding said fishline uniformly around said spool,wherein said fishline parallel winding device has a drive element whichconverts a rotational motion input from said handle into a reciprocatingmotion and wherein said drive element is substantially located betweensaid two side plates.
 19. A double bearing type fishing reel accordingto claim 18,wherein said fishline parallel winding device is linked withsaid spool through gear means installed on said first side plate.
 20. Adouble bearing type fishing reel which comprises:a reel body having twoside plates; a spool rotatably supported between said two side plates;and a clutch mechanism for switching said spool between a fishlinetake-up state and a fishline play-out state; a handle for rotating saidspool in a take-up direction, wherein said handle is provided on a firstside plate of said side plates, a switch-over element shiftably disposedon an upper portion of said first side plate, wherein said switch-overelement is situated on a fishline play-out direction side of said reelbody and is situated in front of a handle shaft on which said handle ismounted, wherein said switch-over element forms at least part of saidclutch mechanism and causes said clutch mechanism to switch said spoolbetween said fishline take-up state and said fishline play-out state,wherein said switch-over element is shiftably disposed at a positionwhere a switching operation of said switch-over element is adapted to beperformed with a thumb of one hand while holding said reel in said onehand, wherein said spool is rotatable supported by a spool shaftdisposed between said two side plates, and wherein said spool shaft issituated in front of said handle shaft on said fishline play-outdirection side.
 21. A double bearing type fishing reel according toclaim 20,wherein said switch-over element switches said spool from saidfishline take-up state to said fishline play-out state when saidswitch-over element switches from a first position to a second position,and wherein said switch-over element switches said spool from saidfishline play-out state to said fishline take-up state when saidswitch-over element switches from said second position to said firstposition.
 22. A fishing reel of a double bearing type as set forth inclaim 20, wherein said position where said switching operation of saidswitch-over element is adapted to be performed with said thumb islocated at said upper portion of said first side plate, is situated onsaid fishline play-out direction side of said reel body, and is situatedin front of said handle shaft.
 23. A fishing reel of a double bearingtype as set forth in claim 22, wherein substantially all of saidswitch-over element is disposed on said first side plate.
 24. A fishingreel of a double bearing type as set forth in claim 23, whereinsubstantially all of said switch-over element is disposed in front ofsaid handle shaft on said fishline play-out direction side of said reelbody.
 25. A fishing reel of a double bearing type as set forth in claim24, wherein substantially all of said switch-over element is disposed infront of said spool shaft on said fishline play-out direction side ofsaid reel body and wherein said spool is rotatably disposed on saidspool shaft.
 26. A fishing reel of a double bearing type as set forth inclaim 20, wherein substantially all of said switch-over element isdisposed on said first side plate.
 27. A fishing reel of a doublebearing type as set forth in claim 20, wherein substantially all of saidswitch-over element is disposed in front of said handle shaft on saidfishline play-out direction side of said reel body.
 28. A fishing reelof a double bearing type as set forth in claim 20, wherein substantiallyall of said switch-over element is disposed in front of said spool shafton said fishline play-out direction side of said reel body and whereinsaid spool is rotatably disposed on said spool shaft.
 29. A fishlineparallel winding device for winding a fishline uniformly around a spoolsupported rotatably between two side plates of a reel main body, saidfishline parallel winding device comprising:a drive element interposedbetween said side plates, disposed on a side of said spool which isopposite to a fishline play-out side, and is adapted to reciprocatinglymove in response to a rotation of a handle; and an operation elementsupported on said reel main body and comprising a first portion and asecond portion, wherein said first portion contains a fishline guidemember for guiding said fishline to said spool and said second portionis connected to said drive element, wherein said fishline is woundaround said spool via said operation element and fishline guide memberdue to a reciprocating motion of said drive element.
 30. A fishlineparallel winding device as set forth in claim 29, wherein a guide rod isinterposed between said two side plates of said reel body for supportingsaid fishline guide member and for guiding said fishline guide member insuch a manner that said fishline guide member reciprocates in parallelwith said spool.
 31. A fishline parallel winding device as set forth inclaim 29, wherein said drive element includes an engaging memberengageable and connectable with a traverse cam shaft which rotates inresponse to said handle and is supported by and between said two sideplates and wherein said engaging member is arranged in such a mannerthat said engaging member faces said spool.
 32. A fishline parallelwinding device as set forth in claims 29, wherein said operation elementhas a central portion which is journaled on a back surface of a rodmounting portion of said reel main body and thus is adapted to berotated about said central portion.